Clasp for cuff-holders.



PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

S. G. SMITH.

' CLASP FOR CUFF HOLDERS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. 1907.

f/VVENTOR Sfep/mn G. SIM/2% WITNESSES:

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STEPHEN G. SMITH, OF I'IANNIBAL, MISSOURI.

CLASP FOR CUFF-HOLDERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

Application filed June 10, 1907. Serial No. 378,188.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN G. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at I-Iannibal, in the county of Marion and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usel'ul Improvements in Clasps for Cuff-Holders, &c.; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to clasps for use on cult-holders or elsewhere.

It has for its object to provide improved fastening means for the clasp whereby the jaws thereof may be locked in their closed position to secure a firm grip upon the article to which it is attached.

The invention consists in the novel fea tures of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of my invention: Figure 1 is an enlarged perspective View of the clasp showing the clamping plate turned back out of clamping position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the clasp showing said clamping plate in position to lock the jaws closed, and Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof showing the clasp applied to a cuilholder.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 1 and 2 designate the jaws of the clasp which are mounted upon an axle or pivot pin 3 and are normally held closed under tension by a spring 4 coiled around said pivot pin. To the outer end of the jaw 1 is hinged the clamping or looking plate 5. The opposite end of the jaw 2 is notched at 6 and has extending portions 7 at each side of said notch. The "free end of said clamping or looking plate has a centrally arranged projection 8 in line with said plate and two inwardly inclined bent extensions 9, one arranged on each side of said projection 8. Said. inclined portions 9 are adapted to engage the extensions 7 of the jaw 2 and guide the free end of said clamping plate into locking position while the central projection 8 extends through the notch in said jaw 2 and forms a stop for said clamping plate as well as a means of releasing or unlocking it with the thumb. As said portions 9 pass below the jaw 2 they spread the free ends of said jaws apart causing the gripping ends of said jaws,

to take a firm hold on the article to which the clamp is applied. The extensions 7 of the jaw 2 are bent slightly downward to snap over the inclined portion 9, and retain the clamping plate in looking position.

In Fig. 3, 10 designates the bar of a cufi' holder of a form now in use. Said bar is provided with a hinged loop piece 11 at its other end whereby it is connected with a cufl". It should be understood that while I have illustrated my clasp as applied to a cuff-holder, it is equally applicable to various other uses, either alone as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or in connection with other devices as will be readily appreciated. The old spring clasp depends entirely on the spring to sustain its hold and as soon as the spring weakens a little, it will slip and cannot retain a firm grip whereas by the use of my device the hold or grip is positive and unyielding.

I claim:

1. The combination, with a clasp comprising two jaws pivoted together intermediate of their ends, of a clamping plate hinged to the free end of one of said jaws and adapted to engage the free end of the other jaw to hold said free ends apart, said plate having a projection adapted to abut against the opposite jaw and an inwardly inclined projection adapted to spread the free ends of said jaws as said plate is brought into position between them, a portion of the end of said opposite jaw being bent downward slightly to retain the end of said plate in contact therewith.

2. The combination, with a clasp comprising two jaws pivoted together intermediate of their ends, of a clamping plate hinged to the free end of one of said jaws and adapted to engage the free end of the other jaw to hold said free ends apart, said plate having a central projection in line therewith adapted to engage a notch in the end of the opposite jaw, the side portions of the end of said notched jaw being bent downward slightly to retain the end of said plate in contact therewith.

3. The combination, with a clasp comprising two jaws pivoted together intermediate of their ends, of a clamping plate hinged to the free end of one of said jaws and adapted to engage the free end of the other aw to hold said free ends of said jaws apart, said plate having a central projection in line therewith adapted to engage a notch in the end of the opposite jaw and inclined projections on y In testimony whereof, I affix: my signaeach side oi'lsafird central projegtion adapteg ture, in presence of two witnesses. to s read t e ee ends 0 sai 'aws as sai plats-is brought into position beizween them, STEPHEN SMITH 5 the side portions of the end of said notched Witnesses:

jaw being bent downward slightly to retain R. W. CASH, the end of said plate in contact therewith. 1 LB. W. CASH. 

